Monday, August 13, 2018

Shown above: Dan Court, Sophia
Court, Alison Perfator, Grace Court, Kendall Court, Katherine Kendall-Court visited Potsdam in late July. Ira Kendall (1878-1950), the man in the portrait that the family surrounds in the municipal board room, was the Potsdam Mayor who is credited for securing the funding to build the Civic Center in the 1930s during the Great Depression.

Ira Kendall was a native of Vermont and came to Potsdam in 1917. He was educated at University of Vermont and was associated with the dairy industry for over 50 years. He was granted patents in connection with milk can washers, bottle testers (for milk), and a high temperature milk pasteurizer. Besides his work in the dairy field, Mr. Kendall found time for Civic duties and was elected mayor of Potsdam in 1921. In 1933 he was elected for another term, being reelected for two more two year terms. Mr. Kendall also directed the Salvation Army fund campaign in 1946 and 1947.